Cheltenham Library

Good Public Library, big choice of books, has DVD's to rent and access to computers and the internet, limited to two hours per user. It also has free wi-fi and quiet study area upstairs with charging points for laptops etc. Helpful staff and photocopying facilities and printing both are chargeable. Unfortunately being in the town centre there is no parking.

Sure there's austerity and funding cuts but can't something be done? We're talking continual booming fans, old dilapidated seating, lack of desk / study space particularly acute in peak hours, and incredibly filthy dusty extractor fans that haven't been cleaned since the Edward II sat on the throne. Only plus is the opening hours are moderately better than the surrounding libraries.

Lockdown procedures need changing. Didn't get email to notify me that my book was ready for collection, even though it was showing as already being on loan to me. i had to phone repeatedly over a couple of days just to speak to someone to arrange a collection. When I went at the arranged time to collect, despite being told the door would be open, all the doors were in fact locked and I had to stand on the street phoning over and over again until someone finally answered, all to unlock the door and hand me my one book. Such a palava you wouldn't believe.

Won't be using the library service again until either this is all over or they improve their procedures.

Would add that I hate leaving this low rating review as I'm someone who has used and enjoyed the library for nearly forty years, but this whole experience was stressful and I wouldn't want anyone else who is thinking of using the current reserve and collect service to go through anything similar.

The choice of books!!! I’ve begun reading a lot since this year from their membership! Best thing I’ve come by so far! The staff are simply great :) Hope this continues

A nice quiet place to do some work. It was easy to get a library card. However there is no toilet?

Great space for studying and working. Very quiet and great choice of books. It's just a bit cold at the moment so make sure to bring a jumper if you plan to be there for a while

Great team at the library. Always really friendly and helpful. Amazing local history collection and liberian. Very knowledgable team.

Selection of books seems to be better now than when I complained about it over 10 years ago when Gloucestershire had a poorer range than Worcestershire and much poorer than Oxfordshire.
Computer availabilty is good recently - where has everyone gone since the lockdowns? Unfortunately, I only use the computers for printing and this has been down now for four days, which is quite appalling and somewhat mystifying. Apparently other libraries in the county are not affected so I can find out how to get to Charlton Kings library or get my 4 pages ptinted at nearby Rymans (expensive at 25p per sheet and £2,50 service charge).
Staff are friendly and helpful.